Thermal Mechanical Engineer

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize annulus reactor bundles, including thermal uniformity, flow distribution, and mechanical integrity
• Develop detailed mechanical designs for pilot reactor modifications and scale-up to 5 MTPD reactor systems
• Perform thermal and structural calculations for high-temperature operation (≥1000°C environments)
• Evaluate materials of construction considering creep, thermal expansion, and chemical compatibility
• Design structural supports for reactor systems, accounting for thermal expansion, vibration, and load conditions
• Lead mechanical design and layout for balance-of-plant systems including heat exchangers, piping, and gas handling
• Conduct thermal modeling and heat transfer analysis using CFD/FEA
• Support transition from pilot to commercial-scale systems and participate in commissioning

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience in high-temperature systems, reactor design, or thermal systems engineering
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks or Inventor
• Experience with FEA/CFD tools like ANSYS or COMSOL
• Knowledge of high-temperature alloys, ceramics, and refractory materials
• Familiarity with pressure systems and piping design codes (ASME preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with chemical plants, hydrogen systems, or pyrolysis
• Experience designing modular or bundled reactor systems
• Familiarity with scale-up challenges from pilot to commercial scale

About the Company

ETCH is a startup commercializing a radically new and efficient decarbonization technology for the simultaneous greenhouse gas-free production of hydrogen and solid carbon from natural gas.